I think that there is a tendency to over emphasize the quality of the "High Street" back in the day.Now,as then there are still well made products available,it's down to affordability and relative to the economy/perceptions of cost and value.i wonder how many kids today have worn a pr of socks that have been darned,jeans patched,jumper elbows covered,jacket cuffs trimmed with leather?The fact is we often used to wear things until they were worn out.That all ended in the 60,s.
We have got used to cheaper prices ,that has to come at a cost,and the cost is dismissed quality.
Take the Gap for example.They have Old Navy,Gap and Banana Republic under their wing.You can buy similar styles from all three,but the quality and price is different.They have essentially got all the demographics covered,it's up to the consumer to determine what they desire and what they are prepared to pay.
It' no different with Designers providing diffusion lines.The Black Labels,Purple Labels,Rugby,Polo,RRL etc.etc.
Availability,choice and variety now bombard us .Not just in clothes,but in everything! I hear next year that "white" fridges are back "In"....not your old White,but a new Super White.Wait 'till your Mrs,start telling you that the Stainless Steel one is starting to look old and not working well......

When I was 7 my eldest sister used to knock about withTeddy Boys.I spoke to them(as well as any spotty kid would do),I saw what they were wearing but no way could I be an expert on what they did etc.Only by the Papers.Fast forward that to `64.I(at14)went to Carnaby Street,saw the Boutiques,bought some Clothes but in no way was I an expert(then) on what Mods did,again only reading the Paper.Do you see where I am going with this?Lasttye was 16, earning so he was pretty much clued up with what was going on(his Mates were the same)but younger(12/13) and you were an observer.Yes you saw what Skinheads were wearing and yes you had an idea where they hung out but,apart from that,pure speculation and reading of Newspapers.I was not part of the ICF but I knew about them etc.

I agree with the fact that earning a regular wage is a huge impact on the choices you can make.The fact that at around 16 you could maybe start getting away with being served in the pub and as the laws of puberty dictate,Girls are having a bigger impact on your life than your scalextrix ever did - it's that awkward age.
My youngest Sister was about the same age as Roy at that time and I know she did everything within her power to stop me from being able to get into "Her" Youth Club .The last thing she needed was her snotty nosed little Brother spying on her,but the fact is the place was full of like minded kids ,all dressing and looking the same and some of them working.The oldest Lads did not appreciate the young Herbert's clipping at their ankles,I am sure,but the fact that it was a Fashion couldn't hold anyone back.I was a regular (along with a decent number of similar aged mates) at the Top of the World on a Mon. Night to see the live Soul groups.and Sundays at the Rugby Club.Getting involved in Football violence,Drinking in pubs and shagging birds was not part of my daily life.Apart from that and paying Taxes,then I can't' see what the difference is?What am I missing here? Having a Driving License is the only thing I can think of.

I am glad you have put this up,because I knew(back in the 60s)that John Simons was pushing "American Clothing".I was told-on another Site that I was naïve in thinking that (I was 17/18 at the time)by so-called experts on the Ivy Shop.I remember seeing Ads saying exactly that-and here is one to confirm that.Up yours "Noir Buff".

I think that there is a tendency to over emphasize the quality of the "High Street" back in the day.Now,as then there are still well made products available,it's down to affordability and relative to the economy/perceptions of cost and value.i wonder how many kids today have worn a pr of socks that have been darned,jeans patched,jumper elbows covered,jacket cuffs trimmed with leather?The fact is we often used to wear things until they were worn out.That all ended in the 60,s.
We have got used to cheaper prices ,that has to come at a cost,and the cost is dismissed quality.
Take the Gap for example.They have Old Navy,Gap and Banana Republic under their wing.You can buy similar styles from all three,but the quality and price is different.They have essentially got all the demographics covered,it's up to the consumer to determine what they desire and what they are prepared to pay.
It' no different with Designers providing diffusion lines.The Black Labels,Purple Labels,Rugby,Polo,RRL etc.etc.
Availability,choice and variety now bombard us .Not just in clothes,but in everything! I hear next year that "white" fridges are back "In"....not your old White,but a new Super White.Wait 'till your Mrs,start telling you that the Stainless Steel one is starting to look old and not working well......

Talking about Gap,I found some nice Merino Wool Cardigans(fine Guage)with Pockets on the front.In their Shop and On-Line,they only go up to XL.On the American Gap Site the same Item goes to XXXL.I wrote to Gap(U.K.)and asked why there was no larger sizes here.I said not everybody is "pigeon chested" and that they would find the larger sizes would go-not like the smaller sizes which would go into the Sale.Needless to say,they never answered.....

What was the drive behind this wear American campaign anyway didn't British manufacturers make similar clothing?

It was something that Shops like Cecil Gee,Austin Reed etc.,had started in the early 60s,selling American Clothing.Because English Clothing seemed so ordinary,American Clothing looked sharp.On the Blue Note Albums you had Miles Davis etc. looking the b*ll*cks-we had Matt Munroe!!!Later Mods(like myself)still wanted the own this Style.But it did not come cheap.John Simons knew this-he was a "Modernist" himself.